Take Courage

The WORD today reminds me that as followers of Christ, we should take courage in Him.

In school, upper class students are usually effective tutors and guides. This is because they themselves have experienced what the lower class students are going through. Not only have they experienced, they have overcome as well, so they have powerful stories to share about their experiences, and tips on how to win over the challenges. This is what Jesus has done. He experienced the things we are experiencing, so we can take inspiration from him and look up to him.

Jesus knows what you are going through. And he knows how to get you through it.

Jesus is not the ruler of the world. He has told his disciples a lot of times that the enemy is the ruler of the world. But Jesus has conquered the world. In the gospel we see Jesus reminding his disciples, as he is reminding us today, that He has conquered the world. 

"In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.

Jesus experienced a lot of challenges and troubles while doing God’s work on earth, but he did not lose his focus. Saints also experienced persecution and hardships for Jesus. However, they remained focused on Jesus, they remained focused on serving God.

We all have problems. We all have concerns. And as followers of Christ, we experience extra challenges in life, as we are not in the team of the king of the world. However, Jesus reminds us that we should just continue to trust in him, he may not be the ruler of the world, but he conquered, he is more powerful than the ruler of the world.

We are probably concerned with what is happening. The pandemic has been affecting our lives. People are dying. People are losing jobs. Lifestyle is changing. However, we are reminded to continue to trust in Jesus. We are reminded to take courage. He is still with us. 

Being on God's team may not exempt us from challenges, problems and persecutions of the world..but it gives us a very powerful support and protection as we face these things.

Do I realize that problems and persecutions come with being a disciple of God? What are the things I experience as a disciple of God? How do I react? Do I realize that these things are normal, and more importantly, that God is watching over me? What is he telling me today? 

May we always look to God and take courage and inspiration from Him, especially when faced with the challenges of the world. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another monday. Thank you for another week. Thank you for the holiday. Lord, thank you for the reminder that you have conquered the world. Sorry for the times I lose my faith and focus in you. Sorry for giving up. As I live for you, I just have faith that you will always be there, and I know I am safe because you are bigger and more powerful than my problems and the enemy. I take courage and look up to you for you know what I am going through and you know what to do. I trust in you. Guide me and lead the way. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

May 25, 2020

7th Week of Easter - Monday; St. Bede the Venerable

FIRST READING

Acts 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men. 

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God. 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

God arises; his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

But the just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice. Sing to God, chant praise to his name; whose name is the LORD. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA

Colossians 3:1

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus,

“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” 

Ascension Sunday 2020

The WORD today reminds me that Jesus watches over us from above. 

As we celebrate this Sunday the Ascension of the Lord into heaven, we are reminded that He watches over us and blesses us from above. Both the first reading and the gospel tell us of Jesus’ ascension – him being taken back to heaven. It was probably a very awesome sight to see, and the fact that Jesus will come again in that glory is exciting to see – for those who are ready to see him.

Jesus wants us to continue his work while we wait for his return. 

In the gospel, Jesus told his disciples before he was taken up into heaven, that repentance and forgiveness of sin should be preached in the world in His name. He is basically telling them to go into the world and proclaim the gospel. If that is his last message, it must really be important. However, as he asks us to do this, we are not by ourselves. Jesus is watching from above – guiding and protecting us as we continue his work. The second reading also affirms us of God's power, dominion and protection as he watches over us from above.

We need not be missionaries to do this. We need not have great signs or miracles for us to do this. As St Vincent Pallotti says, God wills that you sanctify the world in your everyday life. Whatever we do and wherever we are, we can do God’s work. When we do simple things extraordinarily well for the love of God, we are pleasing him. When we treat others right, we are proclaiming the gospel. St Francis of Assisi said that we should preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. The way we live is just as important, if not more important, as preaching the gospel by mouth.

Today, with the pandemic going on, we should work harder to make God more alive. We should make God more real. We should spread his goodness and his love. As we continue to serve and proclaim him, we should also continue to hold on to his promises. We should continue to hold on to his power. Just as he was taken up to heaven, he is still watching over us and we just need to have faith he is still in control.

Am I proclaiming God in this world? Am I doing my part in making God’s love and forgiveness more real and more alive in this world? How? What else can I do today to proclaim God and heed his call?

May we heed Jesus’ call to proclaim him, and take comfort that he watches, blesses and guides us from above.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the blessings. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for another Sunday. Lord, thank you for always watching over me, for protecting me and for guiding me. Sorry for the times I forget it. Sorry for the times I do not proclaim you. Sorry for being lazy and selfish, just doing what I want in life. Sorry for being stubborn. Help me be able to do what you ask of me, Lord. May I proclaim you to the people I meet, not just in words but more importantly, by the way I live my life. Help me to live right and pleasing to you. May my life glorify you and bring you to others, especially this pandemic. Help us get through this.  Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

May 24, 2020

7th Sunday of Easter or Ascension of the Lord (Canada and parts of USA); Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis

Ascension of the Lord

Sunday Mass

Ascension of the Lord

FIRST READING

Acts 1:1–11

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 

When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 47:2–3, 6–7, 8–9 (6)

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING

Ephesians 1:17–23

Brothers and sisters:

May the God of our Lord Jeus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every wat. 

or: 

Longer Form Ephesians 4:1–13

Brothers and sisters,

I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says:He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men. What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. 

or: 

Shorter Form Ephesians 4:1–7, 11–13

Brothers and sisters,

I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

ALLELUIA

Luke 3:4, 6

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Seventh Sunday of Easter

FIRST READING

Acts 1:12–14

After Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 

When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 27:1, 4, 7–8 (13)

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. or R. Alleluia. 

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? 

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. or R. Alleluia. 

One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple. 

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. or R. Alleluia. 

Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks. 

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING

1 Peter 4:13–16

Beloved:

Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.

ALLELUIA

see John 14:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord. I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 17:1–11a

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.

Improve, Not Embarrass

The WORD today reminds me that I should aim to improve others and not embarrass them for their shortcomings. 

Teachers have different ways of reaching out to their students. Some teachers prefer to embarrass those who do not know a lot, either in the desire to show themselves as superior, or forcibly make the students study more to avoid further embarrassment. Others however, are patient with their students.  They take time out to reach out and explain to the students who are having a hard time. They do their best to reach out, inspire, and eventually improve the students. This is how God wants us to act as we reach out to others. 

We should aim to improve others, not embarrass them. 

In the first reading, we saw Apollos do God's work. However, he did not know everything. He did not understand everything. And when Priscilla and Aquila saw this, instead of embarrassing him and making him feel he do not know what he is talking about, they took him aside and explained things to him. They improved him. And because if this, he was able to do greater things for God. 

We should treat others with love. 

There are times when people may be annoying, that you just want to make them feel they are wrong and you are right. However, God wants us to be gentle. God wants us to be patient. And God wants us to improve others, not embarrass them. As we do this, we are serving God. We are equipping others to serve God better. And we are glorifying God. 

What is my attitude towards people who are missing out on things? Am I patient with others? Do I take time to explain to them and improve them? Or am I impatient and embarrass others? 

May we be reminded to see others with eyes of love, and work to improve and not embarrass others. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another weekend.  Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I lose my temper on others. Sorry for the times I don't take time out to improve them. Help me see them as you do. Help me see them with eyes of love. Use me to improve others. As I focus on loving them and helping them and improving them, I know I am doing these things to you as well. Amen. 

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2019/06/work-and-reward.html

May 23, 2020

6th Week of Easter - Saturday; St. John Baptist Rossi

FIRST READING

Acts 18:23-28

After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples. 

A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. After his arrival he gave great assistance to those who had come to believe through grace. He vigorously refuted the Jews in public, establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 47:2-3, 8-9, 10

R. God is king of all the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 

R. God is king of all the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. 

R. God is king of all the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

The princes of the peoples are gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For God’s are the guardians of the earth; he is supreme. 

R. God is king of all the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA

John 16:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I came from the Father and have come into the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 16:23b-28

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 

“I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” 

Great Reward

The WORD Today reminds me that a great reward awaits the faithful servants of God. 

I do not have strong lungs. I get tired easily. Probably because I have asthma, and because of my weight. I remember when I was young, we would go to the beach house in Batangas where you have to go down about 120 steps to go to the beach. Going down was easy, what's tough was going back up. I always had a hard time, and one time an older relative told me to think of something I want waiting for me when I reach the top. Food, drinks, or a toy. That encouraged me to walk up faster. And just as something like that could inspire a kid, how much more would God's reward inspire us?

God has a great reward for those who faithfully serve Him. 

Jesus told a lot of times that there will be pain, persecutions and hardships as we follow Him. In the first reading we saw St Paul experience these as he preached the gospel to the world. However, he did not give up. Despite all the persecution and pain, he kept on going. He continued to serve God. In the gospel we see why. 

Jesus told his disciples that even though they weep and mourn, that grief will eventually become joy. A woman's labor may be challenging, but as they say, the reward of seeing your child born in this world will take away the pain and replace the challenges with joy. This is true with what God will give us. 

Eternal rewards await those who are faithful to Him. We suffer in this world, temporarily, but our reward will be permanent. It may not be immediate, but it will be permanent. And this should inspire us to keep going, to keep doing things for God, to keep serving Him. 

What are the challenges I experience because of God? How do I feel about these? How do I react to these challenges? Do I focus on God? Do I trust in Him?

May we be inspired by Jesus promises and St Paul's conviction, and continue to serve God despite the worldly challenges and persecutions it brings us. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for your promise. Lord, sorry for the times I feel like giving up when experiencing pain and challenges. Sorry for the times I actually gave up. Remind me of your promise. Help me be faithful to you. May I glorify you and live a life pleasing to you and serving you. I continue to lift up our country to you. Help us get through this.  Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2018/05/gods-joy.html

May 22, 2020

6th Week of Easter - Friday; St. Rita of Cascia

FIRST READING

Acts 18:9-18

One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them. 

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, saying, “This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews; but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.” And he drove them away from the tribunal. They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio. 

Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow. 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. God is king of all the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 

R. God is king of all the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

He brings people under us; nations under our feet. He chooses for us our inheritance, the glory of Jacob, whom he loves. 

R. God is king of all the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. 

R. God is king of all the earth.

or:

R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA

See Luke 24:46, 26

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 16:20-23

Jesus said to his disciples: 

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” 

Ascension 2020

The WORD today reminds me that Jesus watches over us from above.

As we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord into heaven, we are reminded that He watches over us and blesses us from above. Both the first reading and the gospel tell us of Jesus’ ascension – him being taken back to heaven. It was probably a very awesome sight to see, and the fact that Jesus will come again in that glory is exciting to see – for those who are ready to see him.

Jesus wants us to continue his work while we wait for his return. 

In the gospel, Jesus told his disciples before he was taken up into heaven, that repentance and forgiveness of sin should be preached in the world in His name. He is basically telling them to go into the world and proclaim the gospel. If that is his last message, it must really be important. However, as he asks us to do this, we are not by ourselves. Jesus is watching from above – guiding and protecting us as we continue his work. The second reading also affirms us of God's power, dominion and protection as he watches over us from above.

We need not be missionaries to do this. We need not have great signs or miracles for us to do this. As St Vincent Pallotti says, God wills that you sanctify the world in your everyday life. Whatever we do and wherever we are, we can do God’s work. When we do simple things extraordinarily well for the love of God, we are pleasing him. When we treat others right, we are proclaiming the gospel. St Francis of Assisi said that we should preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. The way we live is just as important, if not more important, as preaching the gospel by mouth.

With the corona virus pandemic, it is very important to do this. It is continue to do God’s work. It is continue to spread love and goodness. There are already a lot of negativity. A lot of complains. We do not need more of those. We need people who will also do good. We need people who will show God’s love and his blessings and goodness. We need to proclaim God and remind people that he is very much alive through us.

Am I proclaiming God in this world? Am I doing my part in making God’s love and forgiveness more real and more alive in this world? How? What else can I do today to proclaim God and heed his call?

May we heed Jesus’ call to proclaim Him, and take comfort that he watches, blesses and guides us from above.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the blessings. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, thank you for always watching over me, for protecting me and for guiding me. Sorry for the times I forget it. Sorry for the times I do not proclaim you. Sorry for being lazy and selfish, just doing what I want in life. Sorry for being stubborn. Help me be able to do what you ask of me, Lord. May I proclaim you to the people I meet, not just in words but more importantly, by the way I live my life. Help me to live right and pleasing to you. May my life glorify you and bring you to others. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

May 21, 2020

Ascension of the Lord (parts of USA) or 6th Week of Easter - Thursday; St. Christopher Magallanes

Ascension of the Lord

Thursday Mass

Ascension of the Lord

FIRST READING

Acts 1:1–11

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 

When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 47:2–3, 6–7, 8–9 (6)

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING

Ephesians 1:17–23

Brothers and sisters:

May the God of our Lord Jeus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every wat. 

or: 

Longer Form Ephesians 4:1–13

Brothers and sisters,

I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says:He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men. What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. 

or: 

Shorter Form Ephesians 4:1–7, 11–13

Brothers and sisters,

I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

ALLELUIA

Luke 3:4, 6

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Mathew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Thursday Mass

FIRST READING

Acts 18:1-8

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. He went to visit them and, because he practiced the same trade, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. Every sabbath, he entered into discussions in the synagogue, attempting to convince both Jews and Greeks. 

When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to occupy himself totally with preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. When they opposed him and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your heads! I am clear of responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” So he left there and went to a house belonging to a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next to a synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized. 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

or:

R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA

See John 14:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 16:16-20

Jesus said to his disciples: 

“A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”